Three former presidents of the Washington State University Alumni Association have received WSU’s Alumni Achievement Award. Jim Miller, Vancouver, and Denny Jones, Redmond, were recognized in mid-November at the association’s reception for past presidents in Bellevue. John B. “Jack” Sutherland, Tacoma, was unable to attend. He received the award in December.

Miller (’65 Police Sci.,) was cited “for exemplary leadership as a district director and president (1995-96) of the Alumni Association, and for effective advocacy in supporting University programs in student enrichment, academic outreach, and intercollegiate athletics.”

Miller came to WSU from Tacoma. After earning his degree, he stayed on to complete his teaching credentials in education and later earned an M.Ed. from Oregon State University. His superintendent’s credentials are from WSU. He began his climb up the alumni hierarchy as a district director in Vancouver in 1979.

He retired in 1993 as assistant superintendent of the Educational Service District in Vancouver after 29 years as a teacher and administrator. He is a past president of the WSU Parent’s Program and also served on the WSU Athletic Council. At WSU, he was a member of Phi Kappa Theta fraternity.

Jones (’64 Bus. Adm.), a Spokane native, was recognized “for enhancing a three-generation family tradition of WSU advocacy, service, and generosity, and for providing excellent leadership, and as an effective and dedicated alumni president (1997-98).”

His grandfather, George Grimes, worked for Washington State College for 50 years, retiring in 1948 as superintendent of buildings. His parents, Kennard Jones (’29 Bus. Adm.) and Burnette Grimes Jones (x’29), and a brother, Barry Jones (’55 Bus. Adm.) preceded him at WSU. Barry was alumni president in 1968-69.

Jones spent eight years in the Air Force after earning a commission at WSU. Since 1973, he has been a pilot with Delta Air Lines and holds the rank of captain.

In the 1980s, while living in Fort Worth, he began hosting alumni events not only in various Texas locations, but also in Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia. He was named a district director in 1990 and currently represents the alumni association on WSU’s Athletic Council. He is a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

Sutherland (’40 Chem. Engr.) was honored “for 65 years of loyal, distinguished, and generous service to WSU as a student leader, supportive alumnus, Cougar Club officer, and alumni president (1972-73).”

Sutherland joined Hooker Chemical Corp., a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum, in 1951, as a sales engineer. He spent his entire career in sales and marketing, retiring as vice president of marketing.

As an undergraduate, Sutherland was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity and Interfraternity Council, and he served as business manager for the Chinook yearbook. He was a member of the College of Engineering and Architecture Advisory Board and the Alumni Center National Campaign Committee, and he chaired the Golden Grad Reunion Committee in 1987-88.